Children and Youth

UUCS Religious Education

For children and youth, from infants through high school
Sybil Argintar, Director of Religious Education at dre@uucs.org

Remembering Who We Are: Our Guiding Principles (Adult version)

1. The inherent worth and dignity of every person;
2. Justice, equity, and compassion in human relations;
3. Acceptance of one another and encouragement to spiritual growth in our congregations;
4. A free and responsible search for truth and meaning;
5. The right of conscience and the use of the democratic process within. our congregations and in society at large;
6. The goal of world community with peace, liberty, and justice for all;
7. Respect for the interdependent web of all existence of which we are a part.

Remembering Who We Are: Our Guiding Principles (Children/Youth version)

1. We believe each and every person is important;
2. We believe all people should be treated fairly;
3. In our congregations, all people are accepted and learn together;
4. We believe each person is free to search for what is true and right in life;
5. Everyone deserves a vote about the things that concern them;
6. We believe in working for a peaceful, fair, and free world;
7. We believe in caring for our planet Earth and every living thing that shares it with us.

Child and Youth Protection Policy

At UUCS, the care and nurturing of our children and youth is of the utmost importance.  We have developed, in collaboration with the Religious Education Committee and the Board of Directors, a strong safety policy that helps to ensure the protection of all of our children and youth, whether member, friend, or visitor.  The full policy can be viewed here.

Weekly Religious Education for All Ages

RE Connections for the week of September 18

RE for Sunday, September 24

Good morning to all!  Please remember…if you haven’t already turned in your registration form, please do so this week.  Sybil will be around to hand you a blank form if needed!

Reminder:  Please don’t send electronics or toys with your child/youth.  They are a distraction from the lesson and to other students.  If you forget, we will put them in a safe place until the end of class.  Thanks for helping to make things run smoothly for everyone!

RE for Sunday, September 24

Infant – 4K:  Cooperative Play Time (Room 2) with Ron, Katy, and Randi

5K – 2nd Grades: Around the Church, Around the Year (Rooms 3 and 5)
Session 2:  Our Room, Our Community (Virginia, Grayson)

3rd – 5th Grades:  Holidays and Holy Days (Room 4)
Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur (Kathleen, Clare)

6th – 8th Grades: Riddle and Mystery (Room 6)
Session 2:  Religion to the Rescue  (Al, Melanie)

Your Input Is Needed!
If you haven’t already, please sign up for one of the MVC (Mission-Vision-Covenant) sessions noted below. This is the long-range planning project for the church, and we want as much RE input from parents/guardians/children/youth as possible! We will have childcare available on October 1 and November 18. Older children are welcome and encouraged to attend the sessions with a parent/guardian.
Thursday, September 28, 5:30-8:00 pm—Potluck dinner
Sunday, October 1, 12:30-3:00 pm—Potluck Chili/Soup lunch
Saturday, November 18, 10:00 am-3:30 pm—church-wide meeting to select mission objectives–link to sign up available soon!

Parent Support Group
We’ll be offering a Parent Support Group on Sunday, October 8, from 9:30 to 10:45 am in Room 4 in the RE wing.  Childcare will be provided.  Come to meet others and share.  If there is enough interest, additional sessions will be scheduled.

Highlights from RE Connections for All Ages

General Spiritual Resources and Readings for Families
How to Help Your Child Understand and Assist a Friend Who Is Having Suicidal Thoughts
Worried About a Friend? Use Your E.D.G.E. | Learning for Justice

Lessons for Home Schooling or School Projects
Hispanic Heritage Month Activities and Lesson Plans

Religious education for Infant through High School
for the 2023 – 2024 School Year:

Infant – 4K: Cooperative play time with childcare staff

5K – 2nd Grades: Around the Church, Around the Year
This curriculum introduces young UUs to their home church community, including meeting staff and volunteers, learning about the church building and grounds, and celebrating their connections to the larger church congregation.

3rd – 5th Grades: Holidays and Holy Days
Children in this group will learn about faith and celebratory traditions from many different religions and cultures around the world.

6th – 8th Grades: Riddle and Mystery
Youth will have the opportunity to ask and discuss some of life’s bigger questions such as Who Am I?  What Is God?  What Can I Be?

9th – 12th Grades: Youth Group
There are no classes for this group at the present time, but the Youth Group will meet for Third Sunday Socials after church, along with the 6th – 8th Grades, for a fun gathering time!